certificate in marketing

Success in horticultural marketing depends very much on the most appropriate training.

An outgoing, organised and communicative personality is an asset, but education is a key factor for success. This course provides a solid foundation for working in marketing, either in your own business, or in someone else's. The right combination of knowledge, skill, and personality will always be in high demand; so if you need the skills and knowledge, this course is a legitimate step in the right direction.

Marketing is the art of convincing. It goes beyond just selling, and requires an open and trustful relationship, even in that short period of time when the sale happens, between salesperson and client. Learn the basics of the art of marketing in this certificate.

The Garden Design Academy is run by experienced horticultural business managers passionate about passing on their knowledge to a new generation. It draws on decades of industry experience to offer a range of courses tailored to the needs of the modern professional.

This course develops skills in marketing, with techniques applicable to horticulture as in most other businesses. It is ideal for the owner of any horticultural business or for those working or hoping to work as:

The certificate requires successful completion of each of the following 6 modules:

1. E-commerce

Develop an ability to manage commercial transactions electronically, particularly via the internet. While the course is concerned with marketing, management and processing; the primary concern is marketing. E commerce is short for “electronic commerce”. It is anything concerned with doing business electronically. Ecommerce includes commerce conducted over the internet, but also other forms of electronic commerce such as telephone banking, using a fax, or generating and managing accounting systems on a computer (without use of the internet). This course focuses on the internet; but covers other aspects of e commerce as well.
This course is excellent for managers and marketing people who are good with general marketing but are not very sure about marketing on the web.
There are eight lessons in this module as follows:

Analyse a market and understand what prompts people to choose one product or service over another.

Determine the promotional effort on an identified target market.

Explain how to organise and/or conduct displays.

Plan an advertising program.

Review a promotions campaign.

Explain how to choose and develop marketing of new products and services.

Explain how to organise and/or conduct promotions.

Develop a sales approach for a product or service which has a difficult sales history.

Plan a sales staff training program

Develop different advertisements and different promotional leaflets or brochures

Describe promotional and advertising techniques using electronic media, in particular the phone and the internet.

Determine an appropriate direct mailing campaign.

Design a show/exhibition stand

Explain how to organise or conduct shows

3. Management

Make sure your management style is grounded in the 'tried and true'. This course outlines management theories and procedures, problem solving and decision making tactics, staff management, and more. Developed by professionals with a substantial amount of industry experience, it is the perfect foundation for a successful career.

There are 6 lessons as follows:

Introduction & Organizational Structures

Management Theories & Procedures

Problem Solving & Decision Making

Management Styles & External Influences

Employing People & Interview Skills

Staff Management

4. Project Management

Project Management is an invaluable tool used in all industries, and in all sorts of situations. It is relevant to a diverse range of projects, including technical, human resources, marketing, and more.
This is a compressed version of a much longer course, so it is highly informative, and great value for money.
It was developed by highly qualified professionals, with years of experience in their respective fields.

There are nine lessons as follows:

Introduction
Understanding what project management is, and what its applications might be.

This is a course designed to develop knowledge and skills in the planning and management of special events including gallery openings, festivals, exhibitions and sporting events.
It is also a very good starting point for people thinking in developing an Event Management career and wanting to try the waters first.

There are 9 lessons as follows:

Scope and Nature of Event Management

Developing the Concept

Physical an Human Resources

Project Logistics

Marketing an Event

Financial Management

Risk Management

Staging the Event

After the Event

6. Sales Skills

There are twelve lessons in this course; as outlined below:

1. Presentation and selling: Personality. "Never judge a book by its cover." A wise old saying! but people who buy do make judgements especially about sales people. Dress and grooming are top priority in selling. As well you must learn how to develop a selling personality.

2. Communication and Conversational selling: Learn the art of written and verbal communication in easy to understand terms.

3. Marketing (Buyer analysis and motivation): Presentation of products to consumers and motivating them to buy.

4. Management (Hierachy): Dealing with upper management; learn how to get your point across. How to be assertive and positive when dealing with your superiors.